Fishing Report for 10/11/2010

Don't like the weather?

Michael Condon

Staff Writer

If you don't like the weather, just wait a while and it will change.

Around the first of October, the temperatures were running about 90 degrees; unseasonably warm. Suddenly overnight, the skies were filled with thunder and lightning, the temperatures had dropped significantly and the wind was blowing. Now, temperatures seem to be settling somewhere near normal for this time of year.

You may be wondering what all those changes mean for fish and we anglers who pursue them. I thought I would ask an expert.

I checked in with Jon Baiocchi of Baiocchi Troutfitters of Graeagle, 836-1115.

The answer is perfectly logical: What makes the fishing so great in fall is the cooler water temperatures that make fish more active. That 90-degree weather we had actually warmed water temperatures.

It wasn't enough to really slow the fishing down, but it did, in all likelihood, slow the momentum towards the peak of fall fishing.

The cooler rainy weather probably got us back on track. The wind and rain probably blew and washed more food into the water, especially to the streams.

So while you might need to dress a bit more warmly than a couple of weeks ago, there is no reason to stay home.

Here is how our local waters are shaping up:

Lake Davis: The fishing at Lake Davis has picked up some. Trolling has been good. Ed from Dillard's has been catching lots of fish in the 14- to 16-inch range. The silver red head Dick Nite and the copper red head Dick Nite are working best.

The cinnamon Wooly Bugger, Sheep Creek and snail patterns are working well for the fly fishing. Shore fishing has picked up at Mallard, Coots and Fairview. Worms that are slightly inflated and rainbow PowerBait are also good.

Frenchman Lake: Fishing has been great around the dam and at Lunker's Point. Limits of rainbows from 1-1/2 to 2 pounds are not uncommon.

Trolling has been good near Frenchman's Campground. Anglers are finding success with a variety of baits. Nightcrawlers are the favorites. Flies in olive, black, gray, and brown are also catching fish.

Bucks Lake: Bucks seems to be the lake with the Kokanee action that just will not end. Bryan Roccucci of Big Daddy's Guide Service, 283-4103, hit the water recently and found the solid bite was still there; in fact it might have gotten a little better.

His efforts were concentrated in the deeper water between Rainbow Point and the dam. Most of the fish in this area are not nearly as "colored up" as fish in the Bucks Creek Arm.

According to Bryan, it is hard to believe there is this solid of a bite out on the lake while some of the Kokanee are already up in Bucks Creek spawning.

He caught fish from 35 to 55 feet down with the 45-foot mark being the hottest number on the downriggers.

According to guide Doug Neal, surface temperatures are at61.3 degrees. Water clarity around the lake is still good, to about 12feet. Cooling water has the bite on! Trolling has been the best application lately.

Smelt patterns are hot these days. Needlfish, red and goldSpeedy Shiners and Sep's Pro Secrets inred and gold have been effective from 15 feet and deeper. Silver has been best color early and from 15 feet and shallower.

The cooling water has slowed down the bug hatches, which should continue to decline now that most of the reproduction cycles are done.

The smelt are everywhere around the lake. Local fishermen agree pond smelt populations are higher than any year in recent memory. The trout are really after them.

Fishing pressure has been light.

Big Springs has been good in the early morning. Rainbow Runners and threaded crawlers have been attracting fish to 5 pounds, but most are smaller.

Rainbows are moving into the Big Springs Cove. Bait fishinghas beenbest, Salmon eggs off the bottom, or under a bobber, are producing. This is a shallow area so move in quietly or youcouldscare the fish.

Rec. #1 & 2, crickets and mealworms are best presented 4 feet off the bottom. Rec 2 to the north has been very hot.

Bailey Springs area has been and is stilla great spot.

Generally the fish are still scattered all over the lake and trolling has been the best, with bait fishing taking a back seat.